# Mr. Dirck Van Norden — The Truth About Tristrem Varick character guide

> Mr. Dirck Van Norden in The Truth About Tristrem Varick by Edgar Saltus.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dirck Van Norden, Mr. Van Norden

**First appearance:** 0005-iii

## Snapshot

Tristrem Varick's only grandfather, a neighbor turned patriarch whose daughter's early death left him watching a fortune slip past his line.

## Who they are

Dirck Van Norden is the old New York gentleman whose daughter married Erastus Varick and died after giving birth to Tristrem. When Erastus's will leaves seven million dollars to a hospital and only a Panama hat and a bundle of letters to his son, Van Norden's stake in his grandson becomes both personal and financial. His presence anchors the novel's early meditation on inheritance, grievance, and what the living owe the dead.

## Relationships

### [Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/tristrem_varick)

_friendship_

Mr. Dirck Van Norden is a loyal and supportive friend to Tristrem Varick, offering counsel and aid.

### [Miss Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/miss_raritan)

_social_

Miss Raritan and Mr. Dirck Van Norden are social acquaintances, often at odds due to differing loyalties.

### [Viola Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/viola_raritan)

_friendship_

Mr. Dirck Van Norden is a protective friend to Viola Raritan, looking out for her well-being.

### [Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/tristrem_varick)

_friendship_

Mr. Dirck Van Norden is a loyal and supportive friend to Tristrem Varick, offering counsel and aid.

### [Viola Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/viola_raritan)

_friendship_

Mr. Dirck Van Norden is a protective friend to Viola Raritan, looking out for her well-being.

### [Miss Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/miss_raritan)

_social_

Miss Raritan and Mr. Dirck Van Norden are social acquaintances, often at odds due to differing loyalties.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/i)

Tristrem's grandfather, who contests the will and secures the inheritance for Tristrem.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/vi)

Tristrem's grandfather; receives the engagement news with enthusiasm, writes letters, gives Tristrem a diamond brooch, and warns against opals.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/ix)

Furious about the will, consults a lawyer and later dismisses him after a pointed remark.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/x)

Tristrem's grandfather, who confronts him about giving away the fortune, then reads the letters and passionately clears Tristrem's mother's name.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xi)

Dines with Tristrem and gives him a diamond brooch to deliver to Viola with his blessing.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xiii)

Tristrem's grandfather; sends a cablegram telling Tristrem to come back to New York because Viola is there.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xvii)

Implied as the grief-stricken old man who retains the attorney and tries to learn the motive.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/mr_dirck_van_norden
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters